The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-08-21
TIE WIDOWS ADONIS.

IL ~
Fitzgerald Brandon was one Of the
lucky mortals treated with maternal
partially by that Tickle jade, Fort
une. No stepdame frowns fell to
his share, no chilling glances, no re-
bluffs. Everything went well with
him.
Did he speculate imprudeutly, the
speculation, however unpromising,
was certain to do well; did he back
frank outsider for great race, it
was almost certain of place. Fort
une always beiriended him. He gen.
orally rose winner from his, post
prandial rubber, not because his
skill was extraordinary, but from
sheer force OF luck; aud it was on
record that on one occasion he broke
the bank at Monte Carlo.
He was, besides, extremely hand
some, though on a liliputian scale /:
for Fitzgerald Brandon was not only
one OF the luckiest, but also one OF
the smallest of men. He stood Just
FIVE feet FIVE in his boots, but his
neat little figure, always dressed in
the most perfectly fitting chefs
d'oeuvre OF Smalpage Of Poole, was
so erect, so dapper and so we'll pro-
portioned, that any shortcomings
OF stature we're readily forgiven aud
forgotten by his numerous admirers
OF the fair sex. For, whatever the
lady-novelist may say, women are
not so utterly devoted to those lords
OF herculean build and superhuman
physical str myth who invariably
figure in the pages Of fashionable fic.
ton.
Little Fiiz was, in his way, quite
lady killer, and as he was well
known TO be a rich man as we'll as 0
lucky man, his lines generally fell in
pleasant places. His position il
society was assured, and many a fail
demoiselle moving in the very bes
circles would have been willinI
enough TO share his fortunes.
But little Fitz seemed reluctant Il
don the matrimonial letters; he es
chewed the society Of the dem
oiselle q msrier, prefering tn,
maturer charms Of ladies VIII,
already wore the marriage RIM
and yet could enjoy Irritation with
out fear OF scandal.
la short. little Fitz was a devote,
admirer Of that privileged class
young aud pretty widows.
Perhaps lie fondly imagined he wa
less likely TO be caught" by thcs
bereaved sirens than by young de
butantes still under the materna
wing.
At all events, he was nearly Away
10 be seen with one OF other OF thes
fair ladies who, having doffed thei
weeds, had bloomod out again 10 al
their pristine brilliancy.
And that Is how he won the sou
briquet by which he was known i
every club in London, Of 18th
Widows Adonis."
"Jusi look al the fellow How an
woman can take up with such cor
ceited little coxcomb, | can't i'm
sgipe," said Maitland, Of the 5Ot
Dragons heavy" dragoon in MOI
senses than one, for he rode fourtee
stone aud was more remarkable Il
breadth OF shoulder than auickne,
OF wit--lo his fdus Achates on
morning in the Row.
There's no accounting for tastes,
mutiered the other, pulling his mui
tache aud darting envious glances
little Fitz, who was seated betwoe
two OF the prettiest young widows
Londoo, and seemed nightly
relish his position. II should ha,
thought a charming woman iii
Mrs. Dros mond-" He did u,
finish the sentence, but glared fierce
at tho dspper figure Of little Fit
who was laughing aud chatting gay
TO lis fair companions. Ii looI
could kill, what Wholesale slaught
would go on in this highly ciyiliz,
metropolis Of ours.
Jack Carniorth, the impecunio
ofshoot Of an ancient family tire
would have giyen a good deal 10 8
cure pretty Mrs. Desmond and h
fortune, which was said TO be cousi
cradle. At one time she had a
cepted his homage with appare
pleasure, but since Fitzgerald Bra
don had crossed her path she h
turned deaf ear 10 the pennilt
young attaches pretty speech,
Poor Carniorih, in spite Of his 20
looks, felt that he was hopelessly 0
Of the running, for, though Brand
might be, as Maitland said, "a CO
ceited little coxcomb," IL was Il
possible to deny that he possess
the art Of making himself agreeab
The two ladies', between VIII,
this miniature Paris was seated, W,
as antagonistic 10 each other
Maitland aud Carnforth we're TO
object OF their rivalry, for the I
pretty widows we're rivals, aud hal
each other cordially, though d
called each other Dear Minna" q
Dear Clementina, aud before
eyes Of the world posed as gr
friends and allies.
In appearance the two ladies G.
trasted we'll, aud each hattereS b
self that her frirpd was an ckcell
, foil TO her owu~shaIms. Mil
Desmond was tall, handsome b
nette, with 6ne eyes and magnihc
black hair, while Clementia Som
was fsiry.likc blonde, with d
zling complexion, bright blue Q.
and a chevelure OF the most bea
,ul-dye; at least, so her dear N
"a" said. Both we're reputed u
Scalthy and acknowledged to
harming, and both were bent
eoo,.,.. An. aN.,t,on ~